You can take part in the 2013 Alzheimer's Walk Friday

Alzheimer's Disease has been described as "a devastating, costly, heart-breaking disease." According to the Alzheimer's Association, as baby boomers begin to age, one in eight will develop the disease.

In the United States, an estimated 5.4 million people suffer from the effects of Alzheimer's, and more than 15 million serve as their caretakers.

It is the only cause of death without a way to prevent, cure or slow its progresion. Maria Shriver, whose father, Sargent Shriver, died of Alzheimer's Disease, did a documentary, "The Age of Alzheimer's." In the NBC special, she reported that women are twice as likely to be affected, both as a patient and caregiver. The African American community has twice the risk of being affected by Alzheimer's as other races and more than 200,000 are diagnosed with early on-set before the age of 65 every year.

Because of these rising numbers, fundraising efforts are crucial.

The 2013 Alzheimer's Walk in Columbus will be Friday in Uptown Columbus.

It will be part of the Uptown Columbus Concert Series in the 1000 block of Broadway.

Check-in begins at 5:45 p.m. with opening ceremonies at 6:20 p.m. The two-mile walk will go through the downtown streets and the Chattahoochee Riverwalk and back to the site of the concert.